It is unfortunate, indeed, that the US interferes in
Jordanian-Syrian relations, while everyone knows that even before the US’
Caesar Act, Washington stood against every step Jordan took closer to Syria.
اضافة اعلان
The irony of this situation is that the volume of economic
losses incurred by Jordan because we are shunning the Syrians is higher than
the value of US assistance to Jordan. It is like we are influenced by the
Americans and pay the price for it, economically, despite the belief of some
that we lose nothing.
Recently, when Jordan approached Israel for additional water,
there were voices asking why Jordan did not ask the Syrians for help in the
current water crisis. For sure, the frozen ties between Jordan and Syria, at
different levels, has caused harm to Jordan, which is exclusively banned from
mending fences with the Syrians, while influential Arab parties are taking
liberties in getting closer with them.
As the water crisis evolves, there are calls for resorting
to Syria. This is a positive and a sentimental attitude, but let us remember
certain important facts: First, the Syrians have breached an agreement with
Jordan over water pouring into the Wihda Dam from the Yarmouk Basin, taking the
form of dozens of dams and aquifers in Syria that have affected the underground
water reserves in the area. For the war, Syria expanded its wheat cultivation
in the southern region, a matter which pushed up water consumption, especially
since Syria itself is negatively affected by Turkish policies and several
regions of our northern neighbor are suffering water shortages due to the
meager rainfall this year and the years before.
This suggests that there is a mute Jordan-Syrian crisis in
this field, amplified by political differences. We cannot deny that we do have
rights denied by our Syrian brothers, and we deny not that Syria is actually
struggling with a water crisis, which makes their priorities different.
It should be pointed out here that protesting the practices
of the Syrian regime and the cost of the internal war does not prevent shifts
in positions, even partially. In fact we have seen such shifts happening in the
ties of other Arab countries, so why it is we who should submit to the
Americans as they settle their accounts, as embodied in the Caesar Act, with
Syria? At the end of the day, the shared geography with Syria dictates its own
policies in the neighborhood.
I have a confirmed a tip that a Jordanian minister was
completely convinced of the need to communicate with Syrians over several
issues, including the water issue. Indeed, this minister made some calls months
ago with
Damascus regarding the issue of water, and they welcomed a suggestion
to trade electricity from Jordan to Syria, which has a power crisis, and water
from
Syria to Jordan. This sounded very reasonable, but the deal failed, first
because the minister left his office and, second, because parties with
political interests hindered any rapprochement with Syria, using the Caesar Act
as an excuse. In the end, it was the Jordanians who paid the price.
Jordan could have exempted itself from the
Caesar Act restrictions, citing several considerations, exactly like what happened when
sanctions were imposed on Iraq during the previous regime.
Despite the difficult water situation in Syria, the war
impact, and the lukewarm ties with Jordan, it is certain that Jordan is paying
the price of the US stance towards Damascus. It is as if Washington is pushing
us towards a sole option, Israel, which leaves us with huge economic losses at
all levels due to the disrupted ties with Syria, which is the closer to
us.
Former House speaker, Abdul-Karim Al-Doghmi, spoke frankly a
few days ago about the need to request assistance from the Syrians. He is
right; that would not hurt our dignity, regardless of how acute the differences
are. It is obvious that any step towards the Syrians is being blocked and there
is no word on forging an initiative towards that end, except the news of some
delegations that go to Damascus. In case these delegates ask for water,
Damascus will ask for electricity, and then the Americans would jump in
between, refusing water to come from there, and electricity to be supplied from
here.
If the Americans want Jordan’s stability, they would lift
all restrictions that are limiting its natural movement in the neighborhood.
Without neighbors, we will remain weak.
Washington seeks to punish Damascus, but it is punishing us,
too.
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